Approach
My process focuses on user-centric design, and incorporated aspects of design thinking. Despite my varied work styles and experiences, my commitment to a user centered and efficient approach has remained consistent. I have detailed the process I use throughout my projects below.
1. Understanding and empathizing.
Problem solving is the core of design, and it is impossible to solve a problem efficiently and effectively if we do not have a good understanding of it. As a result, my first step in any project is always to understand an issue through research and empathizing. This ties in to the discover phase of the double diamond design process.
User Research (formative and summative)
Market Research
Empathy
2. Ideation and brainstorming.
My ideas spark best under pressure. When I'm given restraints and a problem to solve, I am best able to use my creative abilities to their fullest. I enjoy generating a lot of ideas in the brainstorming phase until one seems to fit all my criteria for the success of a product, at which point I feel comfortable dedicating myself to making it work.
Sketching
3. Form and function.
A large influence from my industrial design days remains strong when I consider the form of a product. Features and shape I've found, consist of similar principles in practice when I'm designing digital products or ones with Two Dimensional imagery. Additionally, to me it is of utmost importance that form does not exist in a vacuum, as it has to be defined by the function of the product, without which it is meaningless.
Branding
Texture
Color
Scale/ Hierarchy
4. Prototyping
There are few feelings as satisfying to me as seeing my product in a working iteration. Being able to actually see your design come to life in the hands or on the screen of a user is rewarding, and then seeing their feedback is icing on the cake as it opens up potential for further improvement.
Ergonomics
Testing
Hard skills
5. Presentation
Presenting your design is considered an unnerving process to many. But to me, presentation is just another facet of designing an experience. I love being able to demonstrate the merits of my products to others. Explaining my design process and reasoning in a way that's palatable to others in convincing manner is simply another design challenge, and one I am happy to take on
Articulation
Visual appeal
Pathos
Logos
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